San Diego Mayor Calls for Jury Nullification in Marijuana Case
May 22nd, 2013
When it comes to medical marijuana, California is getting a first-hand lesson on the importance of states’ rights. Compassionate local and state laws allow sufferers to consume marijuana under medical supervision, though federal laws contradict this. Per the Constitution, states and localities have the authority to make law on issues of crime and punishment, except in those rare cases like treason and piracy which were reserved for enforcement at the federal level.
Consequently, San Marcos resident became a human political football when he was charged with over 60 federal crimes for operating a legal medical marijuana collective. San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, however, just took the political fight against the War on Drugs to another level at a recent press conference, as he called for jurors in the local community to reject the charges against Ronnie Chang in an act of jury nullification, citing the legality of medical marijuana in his city and state. Check out the YouTube video of his historic press conference below.
Bob Filner’s Rebellious Past
If the Silver Underground blog had existed in June of 1961, we probably would have given a Rebel of the Week award to Bob Filner. Back then, before he was mayor, Filner was a Freedom Rider and was arrested at 18 for protesting against Jim Crow laws. His case was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court. It seems Filner has a habit of being on the right side of history.
Now, Filner has become a vocal champion for state and local rights. His press conference raised jury nullification’s national profile at great political risk to himself. His opponents are accusing him of injecting himself into a federal case and attempting to influence jurors. Filner defended his actions, saying, “We are trying to make it clear to the federal government that we object to this persecution of local residents. That’s what leaders do.”
Free Ronnie Chang
Supporters of Ronnie Chang have created a urging his release. He was charged with over 60 federal crimes for operating legal medical marijuana dispensaries. Allegedly, the feds issued such a large number of charges in an effort to convince him to take a plea to create precedent that the federal law is still being enforced.
Voters have spoken in California, and it’s time for the federal government to listen to the democratic will of the people, expressed through due process. The Constitution does not give the federal government the authority to regulate in-state industrial markets. The Constitution also does not grant the federal government the authority to criminalize the possession of various consumer products.
Most Americans are unaware that they have the right as jurors to wipe old, outdated laws off the books by refusing to convict people based on them. Bob Filner has used his position as mayor to advance the cause of jury nullification to historic levels. For this awesome act of open defiance against unjust laws by the federal government, San Diego Mayor Filner is a Rebel of the Week winner.
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